Figure 11-18.—Typical upper-stage, wire-rope, weapons
elevator.
wire-rope elevators.
The following discussion
describes the difference between upper- and
lower-stage, wire-rope elevators.
The elevator trunk enclosure extends from the 3rd
deck to the underside of the flight deck. Power-operated
ballistic hatches in the main deck, 02 level, and flight
deck allow passage of the elevator platform, and they
maintain ballistic integrity within the trunk. There are
power-operated doors in the trunk for elevator loading
and unloading.
So the elevator platform can be raised flush with the
flight deck, the wire-rope attachment points are on
extensions of the platform structure, placing them below
the main hoisting sheaves. An arrangement of hoisting
and idler sheaves in the upper end of the elevator trunk
allows the platform to be raised flush with the flight
deck. Safety devices of upper-stage elevators are
essentially identical to those for lower-stage elevators.
Control equipment for upper-stage elevators are
essentially identical to those for lower-stage elevators.
Operator control panels are located at each station
served.
Weapons Elevator Maintenance and Safety
The weapons department is responsible for
maintaining all weapons elevators aboard aircraft
carriers.
As an AO, you will perform preventive
maintenance and repair elevator systems. The IWHS
elevators are located close to the 5,500-pound elevators.
Consequently, the same personnel are required to
operate, maintain, and troubleshoot both types of
elevators, even though they differ significantly in design
and level of sophistication.
Although the primary responsibility of elevator
maintenance rests with the AO, some maintenance
procedures require the assistance of personnel within
other ratings, such as Machinist Mate (MM) and
Electricians Mate (EM). When this requirement exists,
it is noted on the PMS card.
All electrical power requirements for the weapons
handling system come from the ship’s service 440-volt,
three-phase, 60-hertz power supplied throughout the
system. Ship’s service power is converted to other ac
and dc voltages by either the controllers or control
panels to meet system equipment requirements.
For the safety of maintenance personnel, the tag-out
and tag-in system has been established The steps
within this system are standardized throughout the
Navy. You should comply with your ship’s tag-out
procedures to ensure safety.
Ship’s service sound-powered telephones are
located at each operator control station. They are used
to supplement weapons handling system control
indicators and coordinate operations between various
deck levels. An elevator must not be dispatched from
one deck to another until communications between the
sending operator and receiving operator have been
established.
In addition to OJT, most commands require that all
personnel operating elevators possess a valid operators
license. The license should reflect the type(s) of
elevator(s) the individual is authorized to operate. For
example, an operator may be authorized to operate all
elevator systems at any control station, or an individual
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